This weekend sees some of snooker’s biggest stars in action as the third event of the new World Series hits Warsaw, Poland…
Following on from the success of the event in Jersey and in particular Berlin, it is great to see the World Series going from strength to strength and that some of snooker’s finest players are interested in bringing the game to Europe in this way.
The players involved this week are Ken Doherty and Mark Selby, whilst Ding Junhui and Steve Davis make their debut appearances in the competition. They will initially face four Polish entrants who will be hoping to put on a show in front of their home crowd.
So who plays when and how can you watch it?
From the official press release:
WORLD SERIES OF SNOOKER
WARSAW, POLAND
ORDER OF PLAY
Saturday, October 25
First round (best of seven frames)
(all times UK)
11.30am: Ken Doherty (Irl) v Rafal Gorecki (Pol)
Followed by: Mark Selby (Eng) v Mariusz Sirko (Pol)
7pm: Ding Junhui (Chn) v Piotr Murat (Pol)
Followed by: Steve Davis (Eng) v Rafal Jewtuch (Pol)
Sunday, October 26
11.30am: Semi-finals (best of nine frames)
6.30pm: Final (best of 11 frames)
VENUE
The Expo XXI Warsaw International Epocentre
Further info FSTC Sports Management – 01786 458108 email: info@fstcollege.com
EUROSPORT TRANSMISSION TIMES: WARSAW
(UK times)
Saturday, October 25: 1pm-4pm (Eurosport2), 5.30pm-10pm
Sunday, October 26: 1pm-5pm (Eurosport2), 6.30pm-10pm
Also from the press release is information on the players involved, both professional and wildcards:
KEN DOHERTY
Republic of Ireland
Date of birth: 17/9/69
Turned professional: 1990
World ranking: 18
World ranking titles: 6
Highest tournament break: 145
Ken Doherty is one of snooker’s most respected players and became a national sporting hero in the Republic of Ireland after beating Stephen Hendry 18-12 to win the 1997 World Championship.
A fine ambassador for the game, Doherty has won five other ranking titles, the Scottish Masters and the Premier League twice and appeared in a total of three World Championship finals. He lives in Dublin with his wife, Sarah, and their son, Christian.
STEVE DAVIS
England
Date of birth: 21/8/57
Turned professional: 1978
World ranking: 29
World ranking titles: 28
Highest tournament break: 147
Steve Davis is a British sporting legend with a professional career spanning three decades and still going strong. He won six world titles at the Crucible in the 1980s and has captured a total of 28 ranking titles – second only to Stephen Hendry.
Davis was the first player to make a televised 147 break in 1982 and is now regarded as snooker’s elder statesman. Now 51, he recently reached the quarter-finals of the Shanghai Masters and Grand Prix.
LOCAL WILDCARDS
RAFAL JEWTUCH
Poland
Age: 35
Highest break: 103
MARIUSZ SIRKO
Poland
Age: 22
Highest break: 116
RAFAL GORECKI
Poland
Age: 26
Highest break: 139
PIOTR MURAT
Poland
Age: 37
Highest break: 84